The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-06-27
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.
LIE cnINEsE CLAss.

THE CHINESE CLASS.
1t is now over seven years since the first
five Chinese who came TO our city were
gathered into the Second Parish Sunday
School. At first ii was difficult TO obtain reg
ular attendance, but they soon found that all
whom they met there were friends. Won
by kindness and probably thinking this
good opportunity to master enough English
to help them in their business they not
only came regularly themselves, but brought
all new arrivals with them. Thus the class
mas grown and now numbers twenty one
boys each having separate teacher of
the present number we think none have
been there the whole seven years. Changes
are constantly taking place. Many have re-
turned to their native country, others move
about from city to city in our own land.
Some seventy ormore have been taught in
all.
The teaching never gets beyond simple
primary school work. From the eat and dog
OF the English primer to the Gospel Of st.
John" now used by many, ii Is a simple drill
ana explanation. Besides reading and SPELL
ing they are taught to write and sing. the
latter giving them great pleasure. The last
year mas been one OF marked progress. The
old prejudice against reading the scriptures
In their own language. has entirely passed
away. A Christian Chinaman living In Au-
gusta, who spends one sunday month with
the class Is wonderful help. Reading, pray
ing and explaining in his own language, they
get much q the gospel from him. He tells
us that he thinks we "will see good fruit
soon" 1t is encouraging 10 know that a
number read their Bibles in their laundries
and pray TO Jesus every day." At each ses-
SION OF the school collection is taken and
the money thus raised after paying for
school supplies is sent 10 China and used for
support OF q theological student there. Last
year the collections amoonted to S77.50. Fif-
~ dollars oJ this amount was sent 10 the
chinese Mission, aud twenty-five TO a former
teacher who was disabled by an accident.
Since the middle Of the winter early Sun
day night meetings have been held. Begin
ming an hour before the regular service, and
lasting about three quarters Of am hour.
Portions OF Scripture are read in Chinese
ana English, prayers offered, gospel hymns
sung, and verses repeated by both teachers
and pupils. The regular sessions Of the class
are from IL 10 Sunday afternoons. The
nrst hour Is spent in singing in the yestry,
following which is short general exercise,
and individual work In the audience room
above. The teachers and pupils are always
glad to see strangers present and any who
are interested In this branch of mission
work are cordially invited to visit us.
IheIe was large and interested audience
q. A. Hall last enening.
FIRST BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIvER-
sARY.
Last evening the Sunday School connected
with the First Baptist church observed its
seventieth anniversary. The church was
beautifully decorated with howers-that
work having been most artistically done by
the Young Ladies' Circle"-quite number
OF beautiful memorials Of deceased members
adding to the floral effect. The exercises
were very interesting to the large audience.
introduced by an organ voluntary, invoca-
tion, scripture reading and chorus, followed
by an anthem by the choir, responsive read
ing, ehildren's recitation Of the "Beatitudes, ;"
with solo sweetly sung by one Of the little
girls; and interesting addresses by Rev. A.
I. Dunn, pastor of the Free street church,
Rev. David Webster. missionary to Burma.
and Rev. DR.. Small, of the First Baptist
church. Miss Annie Greeley, Of the church
choir, sung most acceptably fine solo, and
the superintendent gave his report, and read
the roll Of honor. the names of those who
had been most punctual in their attendance
during the year.
From the report we gather the following
statistics: The whole number Of scholars,
$40; average attendance the first six month.
l6l ; last six, 1893; average for the year, III
The increased attendance and interest Of the
last half was marked and encouraging
features In the school work Five have died
and two have been baptized within the year.
The whole lam0unt Of money collected from
the school for the year Is S321'26. All ex-
penses have been paid, including Thanks
giving and Christmas donations to the poor,
n M Ia hala Of Ia. t,-..a
There are 20 teachers connected with the
school. and their average attendance for the
year has been Pa punetuality somewhat
unusual in the history Of Sunday School
teaching.
The officers Of the school are as follows:
superintendent Frederic Brunei
Assistant SUPPLEMENTARY Richard FOss
1TsSsssaSsrTE TressaTsr-E. T. f. RnieR RaaeR.
Lbrarian-W. q. Nelson.
Pianist-MiSs Alice l. Evans.
A hymn sung by the congregation, and the
benediction by the pastor closed the interest
ing exercises Of the evening.
woMAN's FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society,
auxiliary Of the Congress Street NJ. L.
Church, celebrated their twelfth anniversary
last evening. The programme was received
with pleasure by an audience, which, by its
size, indicated the deep interest felt in this
branch Of the great work The order of ex-
ercises consisted Of readings, recitations,
dialogues, &C., interspersed with appropr-
ate music. The recitations by the little ones,
the solo by Miss Wallace, and the selections
by the mixed quartette, were received with
especial favor by the audience. The mis-
si0nary dialogue by five young ladies was
one OF the pleasing features OF the evening
Too much cannot be said In praise of the
readings by Mrs. Ezra Tinker and Miss Ella
Pickett. The selections were very appropri-
ate, and the speakers held the closest atten-
tlon Of their hearers TO the finish. In closing
the president, Mrs. Tuckwell, gave a brief
summary Of the work Of this branch of the
society since its organization June %, 1915,
and made an earnest appeal for aid. After
the benediction by the pastor, the audience
dispersed, wishing the ladies GOd-speed in
their noble work Of spreading the gospel in
heathen lands.
GOSPEL MISSION.
Last evening long before meeting time it
was impossible to get inside the doors Of the
Mission. Rev. 5. f. Pearson conducted the
service Of song, ETC., and was followed by
Noah Z. Mclean, who preached from the
words, what shall it profit man If ne
gain the whole world and lose his own
soul?" At the close G. W. Willis made an
earnest appeal to the unsayed, and as a re-
suit number OF persons arose for prayers
and remained for the after meeting, which
was well attended. The Atlanta Quartette
rendered some very fine hymns during the
meeting. This evening there will be
preaching service to young converts. The
colored quartette will take part in the ser
| vice.
NOTES.
The twelfth anniversary Of the W f. NJ. S.
Auxiliary Of the Congress street church was
| celebrated last evening according to the pro-
| gramme published in Saturdays issue. The
| recitatiOns and singing were excellent and
much enjoyed by the large congregation.